Elon Musk announced on Saturday that SpaceX's Starlink, the satellite internet service, would extend its support to establish communication links in Gaza, particularly with "internationally recognized aid organizations."

While this announcement may offer a glimmer of hope for improved connectivity in the strife-torn region, it has also stirred controversy and concerns from Israel. Elon Musk's statement was made through a post on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), where he acknowledged the dire need for improved communication links in Gaza.

The ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict had already led to a telephone and internet blackout, isolating the people of Gaza from the world and each other. As Israel expanded its air and ground assault, making calls to loved ones, ambulances, or colleagues almost impossible, the blackout exacerbated the already desperate situation, according to Reuters.

Humanitarian organizations operating in the region have decried the blackout, emphasizing how it hampers their life-saving operations and obstructs communication with their on-ground staff.

(Photo : STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)
SpaceX, Twitter, and electric car maker Tesla CEO Elon Musk arrive for a US Senate bipartisan Artificial Intelligence (AI) Insight Forum at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on September 13, 2023.

Israel Opposes to Elon Musk's Move

Despite Elon Musk's pledge to facilitate online communication connections with recognized aid organizations, the logistics of implementing such connections remain uncertain. Notably, there are no Starlink terminals inside Gaza, and there have been no requests for connections from the region, according to the Wall Street Journal.

However, the prospect of SpaceX's Starlink service providing communication links has raised concerns in Israel. Shlomo Karhi, Israel's communication minister, expressed strong opposition to the move.

On the Elon Musk-controlled platform X, the Israeli official noted, "Israel will use all means at its disposal to fight this," as reported by The Times of Israel.

Karhi argued that Hamas, the Palestinian militant group ruling the Gaza Strip, might misuse these communication networks for "terrorist activities." He even proposed that Elon Musk could consider conditional support, such as the release of abducted individuals, to ensure the service's responsible use.

Read Also: Elon Musk Warns of World War III Potential Amid Conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza

Elon Musk replied to Karhi, clarifying that, Starlink "will take extraordinary measures to confirm that it is used *only* for purely humanitarian reasons" and that they will conduct a "security check" with the US and Israeli governments before operation.

Starlink's Vital Role in Conflict Areas

In response to Elon Musk's Starlink service offer, international figures, including Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the head of the World Health Organization (WHO), expressed interest in utilizing Starlink to maintain contact with staff and health facilities in Gaza. This communication failure has severed ties with UN entities and NGOs in the area, hampering essential services, including health care provision.

On October 7, Hamas launched a significant attack on Israel that resulted in serious casualties and extensive property damage, which sparked an increase in violence in Gaza. Reacting to this, Israel came back with punitive strikes, which multiplied fatalities and ramped up tensions in the region.

Elon Musk's Starlink satellite internet service has been recognized for its role in maintaining internet connectivity in conflict zones, including its deployment in Ukraine following the Russian invasion in February 2022. However, it has also been associated with geopolitical complexities, as the tech mogul refused to extend coverage over Russian-occupied Crimea, citing concerns about its potential use in Ukrainian attacks on Russian forces.

Related Article: Desperate Families Use Phone Pings to Locate 220 Kidnapped Loved Ones Taken by Hamas in Gaza